Chapter 33
“The higher–ups have given instructions regarding this. Any article related to Rosalie Leighton must not pass the review process for publication,” said the chief editor.
Zeke was taken aback. “Is the Xanthos family putting pressure on us?” However, he thought it did not make sense as he had written the article about the incident involving Yvette before, and the chief editor approved it. Confused, he thought, “Why can’t we write anything about Rosalie now?”
“It’s not the Xanthos family. Enough with this. Don’t ask anything more about this issue. In short, if you insist on publishing this article, not only will you get fired from your job as a reporter, even I might have to pack up and leave,” said the chief editor.
Zeke’s eyes widened in disbelief. He felt that what the chief editor said was too exaggerated.
“Rosalie… She’s just a sanitary worker. Who would be so protective of her?”
“You are still too young and naive. There will always be things beyond your imagination in this world,” the chief editor said with a sigh. ‘In fact, he did not expect someone from the Youngblood family to protect Rosalie, which was truly astonishing.
Meanwhile, Jonathan was staring at Rosalie, who was cleaning up the plates and cutleries. He suddenly said, “Rosie, I heard that Yvette went to the Environment and Sanitation Administration today to apologize after asking you to find the ring for her.”
“Yeah,” Rosalie replied. “But I gave the apology gift to Yulissa.”
“Well then, have you seen Zachary too? I read on the news that he was present too.” Jonathan looked at Rosalie’s reaction as he spoke.
“I have,” Rosalie answered. Her face remained calm as if she was just talking about ordinary gossip news.
Jonathan glanced at her. He then suddenly got up and walked to her. “Rosie, you didn’t feel sad about it?”
Hearing this, Rosalie looked up at the man. She smiled as if she had figured out something and said, “Jon, are you worried about me? Don’t worry. I won’t feel sad for such a man.”
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“Am I worried about her?” Jonathan thought with a dark look. It was as if there were something else in his eyes besides worry.
Rosalie raised her hand and caressed Jonathan’s head. She felt like the action had become more common recently.
“I won’t feel sad for someone who doesn’t love me. If I really feel sad, it means I love that person very much.” Therefore, Rosalic was glad she was not sad when she met Zachary again.
Fortunately, she and Zachary did not get married at that time.
It was a blessing in disguise when one could see a person’s true colors from an accident.
“Rosie, will you feel sad for me one day?” Jonathan asked.
Even if it was her negative emotions, the man overbearingly wanted to have them.
Rosalie was stunned and unsure how to answer the question.
“Will you?” Jonathan bent down and asked while moving closer to her. Jonathan’s dark eyes were full of scorching enthusiasm, while Rosalie, on the other hand, felt that her heart seemed to be beating violently.
“I… I was saying that if I really loved someone, I would feel sad for him. Jon, you are my little brother…” Rosalie said dryly.
“Can’t you love your brother?” Jonathan retorted.
Rosalie’s face suddenly turned red as if all the blood was rushing to her head. She wondered if Jonathan realized how ambiguous his words were. Yet, the eyes under the man’s bangs were extremely clear. It was like the question was just a simple question to him.
Rosalie thought that Jon seemed innocent. He probably did not have any meaning behind the question he asked.
Rosalie pondered it, cleared her throat, and said, “I can love my brother, but it’s not that kind of romantic love. Both are different feelings. I used to think loving someone meant being together forever, and the feelings were irreplaceable. Even… living and dying together.”
Jonathan suddenly narrowed his black eyes, thinking about the words “living and dying together.” Strangely, when he heard the answer from Rosalie, the first thought that flashed through his mind was unexpected. He thought, “It might actually sound good if I live and die together with her. So, does this mean I have fallen in love with her? How is that even
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possible?” He laughed at the thought that flashed through his mind.
Jonathan admitted that he felt fondness, attachment, and concern for her. It seemed that he had been unconsciously obsessed with the feeling of staying by her side. Otherwise, the game would not have continued for this long.
Yet, he would not fall in love with her.
Early on, he had sworn to himself that he would not fall in love with any
woman.
“Besides, you won’t make me sad, right, Jon?” The gentle voice came into Jonathan’s ears.
The man looked at Rosalie’s blushing cheek and the faint smile on her face. He then smiled lightly too, “Yeah. Rosie, I won’t make you sad.” Yet, Jonathan wondered if Rosalie would become sad if she knew he was Jonathan Youngblood one day.
He thought, “Or maybe she will be happy? Happy that she could ingratiate herself with me?”
Either way, Jonathan could promise to protect Rosalie for her entire life. After all, protecting her was just like a simple gesture to him.
Rosalie went to work the next day. After cleaning up the street with Yulissa, she returned to the Environment and Sanitation Administration during lunch break. However, her colleagues seemed to be glancing at her sideways with curiosity, contempt, mockery, and even some sympathy.
Moreover, many people were even pointing at her and whispering to each other.
While Rosalie felt strange, she saw Yulissa come from the equipment room. Yulissa pulled her aside and whispered, “Rosalie, have you been to prison?”
Rosalie only felt that her whole face suddenly turned pale. All the doubts. just now seemed to be answered at this moment.
Even though she had already mentally prepared herself long ago, she knew the people around her would find out about her imprisonment one day.
After all, it was impossible to keep things under wraps forever in this world.
However, when she was actually being looked at with strange gazes and
gossiped about by those around her, Rosalie still felt as if she were standing naked in the freezing snow, wherein everyone knew her secret of having been to prison.
“I have.” Rosalie nodded.
“Oh. I always thought you were a good young lady. Why were you sent to prison? What crime did you commit?” Yulissa asked. She was anxious to ask for confirmation after hearing what others told her. Therefore, she did not know about the details.
“Drunk driving and causing someone’s death as a result,” Rosalie explained while biting her lip.
Even if one really caused death in ordinary drunk driving, the
punishment would mostly be probation and compensation. However, the Hamilton family insisted on not getting any compensation at that time and wanted Rosalie to be sent to prison instead.
“You… What a pity…” Yulissa sighed. “I heard you used to be a lawyer, but now you’ve fallen to cleaning the streets like me. It’s really a pity. That’s why we should never drive after drinking.”
Yulissa murmured but did not look at Rosalie with prejudice, which made the latter feel a little warm in her heart.
